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#BookReview: Fatal Frost by Nancy Mehl

14 Nov

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Fatal Frost by Nancy Mehl

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2f3TLHZ

Mercy Brennan followed in her father’s footsteps in a law enforcement career, but she has no interest in any other connection to him. A U.S. Marshal in St. Louis, Missouri, she’s assigned to a joint task force with the St. Louis PD that puts her back into contact with her father and in the sights of St. Louis’s most powerful gang.

When the gang has reason to believe Mercy has possession of some highly sensitive and incriminating information, her boss assigns Mark St. Laurent–a Deputy U.S. Marshal and Mercy’s ex-boyfriend–to get her out of town until they can guarantee her safety.

Initially unaware of the danger she’s in and uncomfortable working with Mark, Mercy’s frustration escalates when she discovers the extent her boss and Mark have been keeping her in the dark. It isn’t until a freak ice storm hits, stranding them at a remote location and out of contact with the district office, that the full severity of their situation becomes clear. As the storm worsens, the forces of nature combine with a deadly enemy closing in to put their lives at imminent risk. Can they survive long enough for help to arrive–if help is even coming at all?

 

My thoughts:

Nancy Mehl begins her Defenders of Justice series with a chilling tale of action and suspense! When U.S. Marshal Mercy Brennan unknowingly accepts possession of incriminating information, she becomes the target of a very powerful gang. As danger escalates, the twists and turns through this story will keep you guessing, unable to discern the good guys from the bad. I enjoyed Fatal Frost and look forward to continuing this intriguing new series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

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#BookReview: Waves of Mercy by Lynn Austin

10 Nov

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Waves of Mercy by Lynn Austin

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2fDFHIz

Geesje de Jonge crossed the ocean at age seventeen with her parents and a small group of immigrants from the Netherlands to settle in the Michigan wilderness. Fifty years later, in 1897, she’s asked to write a memoir of her early experiences as the town celebrates its anniversary. Reluctant at first, she soon uncovers memories and emotions hidden all these years, including the story of her one true love.

At the nearby Hotel Ottawa Resort on the shore of Lake Michigan, twenty-three-year-old Anna Nicholson is trying to ease the pain of a broken engagement to a wealthy Chicago banker. But her time of introspection is disturbed after a violent storm aboard a steamship stirs up memories of a childhood nightmare. As more memories and dreams surface, Anna begins to question who she is and whether she wants to return to her wealthy life in Chicago. When she befriends a young seminary student who is working at the hotel for the summer, she finds herself asking him all the questions that have been troubling her.

Neither Geesje nor Anna, who are different in every possible way, can foresee the life-altering surprises awaiting them before the summer ends.

 

My thoughts:

Richly layered and steeped in history, Waves of Mercy captivated me from beginning to end! The characterization is excellent, and I quickly became immersed in the lives of Geesje and Anna. I loved the memories and emotions Geesje shared while writing about her life experiences; the immigration from the Netherlands to Michigan was fascinating. I was also delighted by Anna and her determination to discover more about her family and her faith. Geesje and Anna’s journeys are beautifully intertwined, and I would love to continue their stories. If you are a fan of historical fiction, especially multi-generational stories, Waves of Mercy is a novel I highly recommend.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

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#BookReview: Keep Holding On by Melissa Tagg

9 Nov

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Keep Holding On by Melissa Tagg

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2emqasL

Beckett Walker hasn’t stepped foot in Maple Valley in years. There’s no getting past the painful memories, and there’s every chance he’ll be arrested as soon as he shows his face. Which is exactly what happens when he finally returns. Suddenly his dream of adventure as a military lawyer comes skidding to a halt.

Horticulturist Kit Danby has spent too much time missing home and her childhood best friend–Beckett Walker. Now she might have a shot at reclaiming both. After years of living abroad, she returns to run her family’s apple orchard. She has one season to turn a profit and impress the father she barely knows. But she can’t do it alone.

It should be simple: Beckett needs community service hours. Kit needs a helping hand. But there’s more at stake than either of them planned. With a tangled past and futures that look nothing alike, they’ll have to find a way to weather the storms of the present . . . or risk losing everything.

 

My thoughts:

The Walker family is one of my very favorite fictional families, and I love spending time with them in Maple Valley! Full of charm, Keep Holding On delighted me from the first word until the last. I adored the wit and humor of Kit and Beckett’s story, as well as the wonderful wisdom that is woven through its pages. The orchard, Willa, and a baby goat were also among my favorites, but you’ll have to read the book to find out more. Dramatic and romantic, Keep Holding On is a must-read romance!

 

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Melissa Tagg is a former reporter and total Iowa girl. In addition to her homeless ministry day job, she’s also the marketing/events coordinator for My Book Therapy, a craft and coaching community for writers. When she’s not writing, she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever (not that she’s biased), watching old movies, and daydreaming about her next story. She’s passionate about humor, grace, and happy endings.

Melissa blogs regularly and loves connecting with readers at http://www.melissatagg.com.

 

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I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

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The winner is…

4 Nov

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Thank you all so much for visiting my blog and participating in this giveaway!  Another great giveaway is coming soon!

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Friday Freebies

4 Nov

Freebie Graphic- BuzzingAboutBooks.com

 

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Rescuing Finley by Dan Walsh

Kindle

Amy Wallace has made plenty of mistakes in her young life, but she didn’t see this one coming. Chris Seger is a marine serving in Afghanistan. His life is forever altered by a single, fateful step. A mother of another Afghan war vet suffers a devastating loss, which changes the course of Finley’s life for good. Finley is a mostly golden retriever, who suddenly finds himself alone and confused in a dog shelter. Later, he’s brought to a local prison to be trained in a special program for female inmates. Could this prison actually become the place where Finley finally finds his freedom? Rescuing Finley tells the story of how one rescue dog powerfully impacts three tragic lives and puts all of them on a road toward redemption and healing.

 

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Love Comes Softly by Janette Oke

Kindle | Nook

Marty and Clem set out for the pioneer West full of hopes and dreams. They would stake a claim of their own on the new frontier, and build a home for themselves and their family.

But just after they’d arrived and Clem had chosen the perfect setting for their new home, an accident took his life…leaving Marty alone and pregnant. Then, on the day of his funeral, Clark Davis came along…and asked Marty to marry him!

Marty was infuriated — but with no money, no shelter, and a baby on the way, what choice did she have? Besides, Clark said he only wanted her to be a mama to his baby girl, Missie. If Marty was still unhappy come spring, he would pay for her ticket back East.

Determined not to be a burden to Clark, and intending only to earn her keep. Marty threw herself into her new role of “Mama.” But she had never been anyone’s mama before, and she didn’t even know how to keep a house! If only she could do right by this lonely man and his daughter just long enough to earn her train fare back home…

 

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A Shelter of Hope by Tracie Peterson

Kindle | Nook 

Jeffery O’Donnell is captivated by the mysterious Simone, who arrives at his office hoping to acquire a position as a Harvey Girl at the popular way-stops along the frontier rail line. Jeffery is torn, however, when he suspects that Simone may harbor a disturbing secret. Westward Chronicles Book 1.

 

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We All Married Idiots by Elaine W. Miller

Kindle

I married an idiot–and so did my spouse. The word, “idiot” is derived from the Greek word meaning “common man.” Aren’t we all common man? Elaine W. Miller encourages couples to keep their eyes fixed on love and run a marriage marathon like an idiot, but not like a fool. An idiot may stumble or fall, but a fool runs the wrong way.

We All Married Idiots teaches husbands and wives to stop concentrating on the three things you will never change in your marriage and begin focusing on the ten things you can. Then, you will esteem your mate as a gift to treasure, not as an idiot to tolerate.

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Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt- Fall 2016

3 Nov

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The Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt begins TODAY at noon (Mountain Time) and ends Sunday, November 6 at midnight (Mountain Time).  You have all weekend to complete the hunt and enter for prizes along the way!

The first stop can be found here: http://bit.ly/2fFaJQH

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#BookReview: Wild Montana Skies by Susan May Warren

1 Nov

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Wild Montana Skies by Susan May Warren

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2dZn5mg

Search and rescue pilot Kacey Fairing is home on leave in Mercy Falls, Montana, twelve years after she joined the military to escape the mistakes of her past. With a job waiting for her as the new lead pilot of Peak Rescue in Glacier National Park, Kacey hopes to reconnect with the now-teenage daughter she sees only between deployments. What she doesn’t realize is that someone else is also back in town.

Ben King has been building his country music career since the day Kacey shut him out of her life. Now all of that’s on hold when his injured father calls him home to help run Peak Rescue until he’s fully recovered. It doesn’t take long, though, to discover his father’s ulterior motives as Kacey Fairing walks into the house and back into his heart.

 

My thoughts:

Wild Montana Skies is a great story and the beginning of what is sure to be an exciting series! Susan May Warren never fails to delight me with her excellent characterization and engaging story lines, and I eagerly await each new book she releases!

Kacey Fairing and Ben King are strong characters who share a complicated history. Back in Mercy Falls, the state of emergency these two find themselves in is caused by more than rising floodwaters. I really enjoyed Kacey and Ben’s journey of faith and forgiveness as well as their rediscovered romance. I also enjoyed continuing Ian and Sierra’s story which began in the prequel novella, If Ever I Would Leave You.

Wild Montana Skies pairs adventure and romance and leaves me wanting more of the Montana Rescue series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

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#BookReview: Where Two Hearts Meet by Liz Johnson

30 Oct

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Where Two Hearts Meet by Liz Johnson

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2f3DzWP

In her kitchen at Rose’s Red Door Inn, executive chef Caden Holt is calm, collected, and competent. But when her boss asks her to show off their beautiful island to impress a visiting travel writer and save the inn, Caden is forced to face a world much bigger than her kitchen–and a man who makes her wish she was beautiful.

Journalist Adam Jacobs is on a forced sabbatical on Prince Edward Island. He’s also on assignment to uncover a story. Instead he’s falling in love with the island’s red shores and Caden’s sweets.

When Caden discovers Adam isn’t who she thought he was, she realizes that the article he’s writing could do more than ruin the inn’s chances for survival–it might also break her heart.

 

My thoughts:

Wonderful characterization and an engaging plot make Where Two Hearts Meet a delightful read! I love visiting Prince Edward Island and the fictional bed and breakfast Liz Johnson has created. The sights and sounds of the Red Door Inn and the island come to life with each turn of the page. Full of sweetness, from Caden’s cinnamon rolls to her relationship with Adam, Where Two Hearts Meet is a tantalizing and enchanting tale. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and am eager to continue the Prince Edward Island Dreams series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

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#BookReview: Newton and Polly by Jody Hedlund

29 Oct

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Newton and Polly by Jody Hedlund

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2d5psSh

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found…

Now remembered as the author of the world’s most famous hymn, in the mid-eighteenth century as England and France stand on the brink of war, John Newton is a young sailor wandering aimlessly through life. His only duty is to report to his ship and avoid disgracing his father—until the night he hears Polly Catlett’s enchanting voice, caroling. He’s immediately smitten and determined to win her affection.

An intense connection quickly forms between the two, but John’s reckless spirit and disregard for the Christian life are concerns for the responsible, devout Polly. When an ill-fated stop at a tavern leaves John imprisoned and bound, Polly must choose to either stand by his side or walk out of his life forever. Will she forfeit her future for the man she loves?

 

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My thoughts:

“Step back through the pages of history, to uncover the true love story behind a song that continues to stir the hearts and ignite the faith of millions around the globe.”

A true love story like no other! Jody Hedlund brings her characters and their stories to life, and I was captivated by John Newton and Polly Catlett. A powerful story of redemption, their dramatic experiences and emotions were palpable on every page.

Impeccably researched and beautifully rendered, Newton and Polly is not to be missed!

 

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Newton and Polly would make a wonderful book club selection!  Jody has created a collection of material to add substance and interest to the discussion of this novel.  Download the collection!

 

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Jody Hedlund is a best-selling and award-winning author who loves fairy-tales and happily-ever-afters.  She makes her home in Midland, MI with her husband and five children. When she’s not writing another of her page-turning stories, you can usually find her sipping coffee, eating chocolate, and reading.

Connect with Jody:
Facebook | Twitter | Website | Pinterest | Instagram

 

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I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

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#BookReview + #Giveaways: The Cautious Maiden

28 Oct

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The Cautious Maiden by Dawn Crandall

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2eXBFYJ

Violet Hawthorne is beyond mortified when her brother Ezra turns their deceased parents’ New England country inn into a brothel to accommodate the nearby lumberjacks; but when Violet’s own reputation is compromised, the inn becomes the least of her worries. In an effort to salvage her good name, Violet is forced into an engagement with a taciturn acquaintance; Vance Everstone. As she prepares for a society wedding, Violet learns that her brother had staked her hand in marriage in a heated poker game with the unsavory Rowen Steele, and Ezra had lost. Now Rowen is determined to cash in on his IOU. With danger stalking her and a new fiance who hides both his emotion and his past, Violet must decide who to trust and who to leave behind.

 

My thoughts:

Dawn Crandall creates beautiful story worlds, and fans of the Everstone Chronicles are sure to love its latest installment! Vance Everstone plays quite the hero in this book, a complete transformation for the former scoundrel. From loathing him to loving him, I was delighted by his reformation! Intriguing and enchanting, Vance and Violet’s journey is teeming with drama and romance. The Cautious Maiden is an enthralling tale, and I loved every minute!

 

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Buzzing About Books GIVEAWAY!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS – (US mailing addresses only)
Thanks to the publisher, Whitaker House, one lucky Buzzing About Books reader will win a print copy of The Cautious Maiden!

To enter the giveaway:
Leave a comment below, and be sure to include your email address. The giveaway ends Thursday, November 3 at midnight CDT. The winner will be announced on this blog and notified by email on November  4.

To earn additional entries:
Follow this blog and/or share the giveaway. Be sure to let me know what you’ve done to earn additional entries!

 

Dawn’s Rafflecopter GIVEAWAYS!

Dawn is celebrating the release of The Cautious Maiden with not one, but TWO giveaways!  Click here to enter!

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Goodreads GIVEAWAY!

5 copies of The Cautious Maiden are up for grabs in a Goodreads giveaway ending November 4.  Click here to enter!

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I received a complimentary copy of this book.
No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

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